Top Canada Provinces for Nurses in 2025-26: Jobs, Salaries, & Growth Opportunities
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The most important step in beginning your nursing career in Canada is choosing the right province. With a high demand for nurses across the country, Canada offers numerous opportunities for both domestic and international healthcare professionals.
To succeed as a nurse in Canada, you must meet specific provincial requirements. This includes having your credentials recognized, obtaining licensure through the appropriate provincial nursing regulatory body, and passing mandatory certification exams such as the NCLEX-RN.
In this article, we highlight the听top Canada provinces for nurses, providing essential information on听salary expectations, cost of living, and immigration pathways听to help you make an informed career decision.
Why are Nurses in High Demand Across Canada?
Nurses are in high demand across Canada, and the factors are evident, like the aging population, number of retirements, and healthcare professionals' burnout due to the pandemic.听
Here are the reasons why nurses are in high demand across Canada:听
- Canada has a听rapidly aging population, with a growing number of people requiring healthcare services.听
- A huge number of Canada's听current nursing workforce is nearing retirement age,听which means there are enough opportunities in the nursing job market, and the number of new graduates isn't sufficient to fill the void, leading to the foreign nationals to be a part of this job market.
- The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed the healthcare professions, leading to听burnout听and resulting in loss. Due to these unsustainable working conditions, the ongoing exodus has worsened the pre-existing shortage. This has increased the job market for healthcare workers and nurses.听
All these factors have created a critical labor shortage, making it an excellent time for both domestic and international nurses to find stable, well-paying jobs.
Top Canadian Provinces for Nurses in 2025
The nursing sector continues to grow with strong demand across multiple provinces in 2025. Here are the top Canadian provinces for nurses in 2025, along with key nursing roles, salary expectations, immigration programs, and market trends.听
Ontario
Being one of the most populous provinces, Ontario has the highest number of nursing job vacancies. For instance, the Ontario government has invested CAD 4.2 million in funds to expand nursing education and create accelerated RN degree programs. Cities like Toronto and Ottawa have particularly high demand for nurses or healthcare professionals. The province鈥檚 immigration programs, like the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), target nurses and other healthcare workers.听
- Top Roles:听Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Public Health Nurse
- Cost of Living:听Moderate to high, with Toronto among the most expensive Canadian cities.
- Salary Expectations:听Average RN salaries range from CAD 40-50 per hour, depending on experience.
- Immigration Programs:听Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) with streams targeting healthcare workers, including nurses.
- Key Employers:听Hospitals and healthcare authorities in Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton.
- Job Market Trends:听Growing demand in urban and rural healthcare; increased focus on increasing nursing education.听
British Columbia
British Columbia is quite a popular choice for many professionals. The province has a robust demand for nurses, particularly in urban areas such as Vancouver. It also offers specific immigration streams for healthcare workers through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The province aims to bridge programs to support internationally educated nurses entering the BC workforce.
- 听Top Roles:听Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), Home and Community Care Nurse
- Cost of Living:听High, especially in Vancouver, with expensive housing and transportation costs.
- Salary Expectations:听Average RN wages are approximately. CAD 40鈥�48/hour.
- Immigration Programs: BC Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) includes healthcare worker streams for nurses.
- Key Employers:听Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, and Providence Health Care; regional health authorities in British Columbia
- Job Market Trends:听Increased union activities; focus on rural healthcare expansions and bridging programs for immigrants.
Also Read:听What is the Leadership & Innovation Express Entry Category in Canada?
Alberta
Alberta has one of Canada鈥檚 best-funded healthcare systems, making it a preferred destination for Nurses. The province has a high demand, especially in major cities like Calgary and Edmonton. Alberta also invests significantly in programs to help internationally educated nurses integrate into the workforce. Alberata offers high wages with CAD 45鈥�55 per hour for RNs in urban centers like Calgary and Edmonton.
- Top Roles:听Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Infection Control Nurse
- Cost of Living:听Moderate, with cities like Calgary and Edmonton more affordable than Toronto/Vancouver.
- Salary Expectations:听Among the highest in Canada, CAD 45鈥�55/hour for RNs.
- Immigration Programs: Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) targets healthcare professionals, including nurses.
- Key Employers:听Alberta Health Services, large hospitals, and specialty clinics.
- Job Market Trends:听Investments in healthcare infrastructure are driving demand for specialist nurses.
Nova Scotia听
Based in the Atlantic Region, Nova Scotia has a significant nursing shortage and is recruiting nurses. The province's immigration programs are consistently issuing invitations to healthcare workers.
- Top Roles:听Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Nurse Educator, Community Health Nurse, Critical Care Nurse
- Cost of Living:听Moderate, Halifax has a growing cost, but still more affordable compared to major provinces.
- Salary Expectations:听RN salaries range from CAD 35鈥�45/hour.
- Immigration Programs: Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) actively recruits healthcare workers through specific streams.
- Key Employers:听Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre.
- Job Market Trends:听Focus on rural and community healthcare with incentives for nursing retention.
Quebec
Quebec is also among the provinces that have a high demand for nurses, and provinces that are actively recruiting nurses. But here is a catch: Quebec has its own unique immigration system, and proficiency in French is often a requirement for nurses. The province offers various programs to assist foreign nurses with the transition and licensing process.听
- Top Role:听Registered Nurse (Infirmi猫re autoris茅e), Licensed Practical Nurse (Infirmi猫re auxiliaire), Nurse Clinician (Infirmi猫re clinicienne), Nurse Educator, Mental Health Nurse
- Cost of Living:听Lower compared to Ontario and BC, especially outside Montreal; housing is more affordable.
- Salary Expectations:听CAD 38鈥�44/hour for registered nurses.
- Immigration Programs:听Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) requires French proficiency; healthcare streams are available.
- Key Employers:听CISSS and CIUSSS healthcare networks, CHU de Qu茅bec.
- Job Market Trends:听Strong demand combined with language training programs for immigrants.
Also Read:听Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students 2025-26
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
If you are looking for a lower cost of living with strong job prospects for nurses, both Manitoba and Saskatchewan are great options. These provinces have their own PNPs with specific streams for skilled workers in the healthcare sector, helping to consider local labor shortages.
- Top Roles:听Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Rural Health Nurse, Community Health Nurse
- Cost of Living:听Low to moderate, with more affordable housing and lower utility costs.
- Salary Expectations:听RN salaries CAD 35鈥�42/hour range.
- Immigration Programs:听Provincial Nominee Programs with dedicated healthcare worker routes.
- Key Employers:听Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Saskatchewan Health Authority.
- Job Market Trends:听Growing rural healthcare demand, provincial incentives focused on retention and immigrant integration.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Province For Nursing Jobs
- Salary and Cost of Living
Compare average nursing salaries across all provinces and consider them against local living costs like housing, transportation, and food. Higher salaries in big cities may be offset by higher living expenses.
- Licensing and Credential听
Each province has a regulatory authority with specific licensing requirements (e.g., NCLEX-RN exam). Find out the credential assessment process and any bridging programs available for internationally educated nurses (IENs).
- Specific Language Requirements听
Some provinces require language proficiency; for example, Quebec requires French proficiency for nursing jobs and immigration eligibility. English is essential in other provinces; some may offer language training support.
- Immigration Pathways and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)听
Provinces differ in dedicated areas like immigration streams for nurses, some requiring job offers, others not. Look into PNPs and Express Entry draws prioritizing healthcare professionals.
- Job Market Demand and Growth Potential
Find out the current nursing shortages and projected job openings by Province. Provinces with acute shortages may offer better job security and faster career growth.听
Choosing a Canadian province to provide nursing is a strategy that depends on personal and professional targets. Provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta offer good salaries and better opportunities; other provinces like Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan provide a lower cost of living and specific immigration routes. It's up to you to evaluate all factors like salary, licensing, and language requirements. Nurses can find the province that best suits their aspirations for a rewarding career and life in Canada.
Ready to Start Your Nursing Career in Canada?
Ready to start your journey?听Get a head start on your Canadian nursing career by connecting with an immigration consultant or a provincial regulatory body to assess your eligibility and explore your best options today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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